Latest Movie Reviews: Killshot, Son Of Rambow, The Longshots, and Body Of Lies

Last week I watched 4 movies that will be coming to your cinemas nationwide soon. On Tuesday I watched the thriller Killshot; on Thursday, the hilarious comedy Son Of Rambow as well as the inspirational drama The Longshots; and then on Friday the highly-anticipated Body Of Lies. Below are short reviews on all the 4 titles:

Killshot

This is supposed to be Mickey Rourke's comeback movie, whose controversial antics had him blackballed from the film industry years ago. Killshot is based on a supposedly top-notch assissin, played by Rourke, alongside Diane Lane, whose new romantic comedy with Richard Gere titled Nights In Roadanthe is out at cinemas now. The story of the film is interesting, but the way it's told fails to grasp your attention. The casting may have not worked well too, Rourke isn't as convincing as an assassin, people who you would expect to do their job with utmost precision. This will probably dampen the hopes of a great comeback for him. I did enjoy the suspense and the twists though, as what happened next was not what you may have thought would happen. Perhaps Diane Lane's performance helped to make it more credible. Overall, this wasn't a thriller one would expect from such a movie subject. However, there were moments that took you in and peeked your interesting in knowing what will happen next. Killshot opens at Ster Kinekor cinemas next year, on the 23rd of January 2009.

Son Of Rambow

This movie will confuse you at first, if you just look at the title alone. Although there are elements suggested about what it may be about in the title, you will be surprised to learn about it as it progresses. It's basically about two boys, Will Proudfoot (played by Bill Milner), a straight-laced religious young man forced by the church to eliminate any worldy activities, including watching television; and Lee Carter (played by Will Poulter), a school bully who takes pleasure in being naughty and causing mayhem wherever he goes. Will has to leave the class whenever the students watch television for their history class, and Lee is kicked out of his physical science class because of his usual bad antics. That's how they meet, and as they show an interest in a Sylvester Stallone movie (this is where the Son Of Randbow connection comes in), they begin to forge an interesting friendship that teaches them a lot about relationships. The story of the two boys from 2 different tracks of life is an amazing one. The dialogue is hilarious, mostly from the Lee Carter, always belting out these clever and smart lines. The animations in some of the scenes reminds me a lot of Jack Black and Mos Def's Be Kind Rewind. Speaking of Mos Def, it's interesting that I compare this element of Son Of Rambow to that of Be Kind Rewind, because Son Of Rambow is directed by Garth Jennings, who was on the helm of another Mos Def film The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy. Anyway, this movie will give you tons of laughs. Son Of Rambow opens at cinemas nationwide on the 14th of November 2008

The Longshots

The Longshots boasts a cast of some of my favourite actors, or should I say actresses. Ice Cube stars alongside the young Keke Palmer, who annoyed you with her character on Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion and made you cry and fall in love with her on Akeelah And The Bee alongside Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne; Tasha Smith, an extremely talented actress who stood out on another Tyler Perry project, Why Did I Get Married?; as well as the sassy and beautiful Jill Maree Jones, who outshined the other characters before leaving the successful sitcom Girlfriends. I'm glad I didn't read up on The Longshots before I watched it because I don't think I would have been objective as I watched the movie. I quite liked the story about the first-ever female quaterback, in an all-male team, to professionally play in Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history. Although emotions were evoked, the slow pace of the film took away from the thrilling nature that's normally attached to a sport movie. Perhaps that's how the director wanted it, to be different from other sports movies, but I feel that's a disantantage that could have been avoided. The cast gave great performances, especially Keke Palmer, the young lady who plays the lead. The Longshots is enjobale enough and will touch you, an attribute that works in most films based on a true story; but falls short of really entertaining you throughout. The Longshots opens at Ster Kinekor cinemas on the 6th of February 2009.

Body Of Lies

Leornado Di Caprio is back on the big screen with his protrayal of a CIA operative on Body Of Lies, also starring Russell Crowe. Ridley Scott is on the helm of Body Of Lies and doesn't disapppoint one bit with his witty, yet crisp film making. The film is based on Washington Post columnist David Ignatious' 2007 novel about a CIA operative who uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan. Although Di Caprio played his role very well as Roger Ferris, I was more impressed with Russell Crowe's performance, playing the role of Roger's boss, Ed Hoffman. He played the character with admirable flair, a great sense of comfort, even with a touch of unnerving arrogance. Di Caprio and Crowe played off each other very well, which created an intense chemistry between the two, resulting in a sterling performance. Another standout performance came from Mark Strong, playing Hani, the prime minister of Jordan. His understanding of his character came forth very strongly. Ridley Scott is an amazing director, combining that with the right mixture of actors, and an equally rich story, Body Of Lies delivers on all aspects. Body of Lies opens at Nu Metro cinemas this Friday, 07 November 2008.

Check these titles when they come out at cinemas nationwide, two this month and the other two, early next year.